Episode 161: Serenity Rabbit (Part 1)

On September 18, 2014, four-year-old Serenity Rabbit arrived at the hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, emaciated and suffering from a catastrophic head injury, various bruises and abrasions, and hypothermia. Serenity was under the kinship care of her great-aunt and uncle, Brenda and Clyde Rabbit, whose own eight children also lived in their home. For a year and a half, Serenity’s mother, Ashley Rabbit, had begged anyone who would listen to help save her children, who she believed were being abused and neglected. No one listened until it was too late.This is the story of a young, indigenous Canadian mother whose children never should have been taken from her and the child welfare agency that was so eager to close the case that they ignored the many obvious red flags pointing to abuse and neglect. It’s also the story of an active little girl with inquisitive brown eyes who loved to sing and dance and who should be growing up as we speak with her siblings, but thanks to the failures of Alberta Children’s Services and many others, she never had a chance. This is part one of the infuriating story of Serenity Rabbit.Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpod You can also follow the podcast on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/STLCpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpodVisit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. Please help make the show my full-time gig to keep the weekly episodes coming! By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive gifts. Pledges of $5 or more per month access ad-free versions of my regular weekly episodes. Pledges of $5 per month can listen to my weekly episodes ad free, while $10 or more per month access a small but growing collection of Patreon-exclusive bonus minisodes! Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. Merch is available at www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com/shop. This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-childrenSpreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4232884/advertisement